So you've heard that, as of Wednesday, marijuana can be legally purchased for any purpose by those 21 and older in Colorado. But is it as simple as that? Can anyone in Colorado now start selling pot? And what happens if you're not a state resident?

1. Since selling pot is legal in Colorado, can I freely sell a joint wherever and to whomever I want in that state?

No. In order to legally sell pot in the cities and counties that allow it, you need a license. And even then, just like with alcohol, you can only legally sell to those who are at least 21. As of Wednesday, 24 marijuana shops, mostly in Denver, were open to the public, according to KUSA.

2. If someone wants to buy pot legally but doesn't live in Colorado, what are their options?

If you're up for a road trip, you can trek to the Centennial State and partake. In fact, many ski resorts are expecting a surge in tourism on account of the new law.

The rules are slightly different for out-of-state consumers, though: Out-of-state buyers can only purchase a quarter of an ounce at a time, while in-state residents can purchase an ounce. And, obviously, don't think you can legally take your pot back home as a souvenir from your Colorado vacation. That's still illegal.

3. So I can buy and recreationally smoke pot legally in Colorado. I guess that means I can light up at my favorite Denver bar or coffee shop, right?

Don't even think about it. Amendment 64, the constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2012 legalizing pot, does not permit public consumption, and Denver has an ordinance banning it. Smoking on ski slopes is banned. Smoking while driving is banned. Basically, the only place you can legally smoke pot is in a private residence with the owner's permission.

4. Wait, can't the federal government put a stop to all this?

In December of 2012, after Colorado and Washington state legalized recreational marijuana (sales will become legal in Washington later this spring), President Obama told Barbara Walters in an interview that "it does not make sense" for the federal government to prioritize going after recreational users of a drug in a state that has legalized it. In August of this year, the Justice Department said it would not challenge state laws sanctioning the use of marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes so long as drug sales do not run counter to certain federal enforcement priorities, such as distribution to minors.

So, yes, marijuana remains an illegal drug, but the federal government has made it pretty clear it's maintaining a hands-off approach in states like Colorado. At least for now.

5. And how much will legal pot cost?

It could fluctuate as the market adjusts to supply and demand — and you also have to factor in taxes. In one Denver marijuana shop on Wednesday, a one-eighth-ounce bag cost $45 before taxes and nearly $55 after, KUSA reported.

Bonus question: So if I get a job in Colorado, does the law protect me if marijuana is detected during a pre-employment drug screen?

In a word, no. Employers can still fire workers for legal use, according to The Denver Post. Besides, showing up to work half baked usually isn't a good career move.